In a career that has spanned over six remarkable decades, Claudia Cardinale has captivated audiences worldwide with her unforgettable beauty, undeniable talent, and fierce spirit. Now 86 years old and still going strong, Cardinale reflects on her life and legacy, often stating, “Cinema saved my life.” Though she never aspired to be a star, fate had other plans, leading her down a path filled with both great triumphs and deep trauma.
Born in Tunisia to Italian parents, Cardinale’s journey into stardom began unexpectedly. At 18, while studying to become a teacher, she helped her mother and Italian officials organize a local film festival. She wasn’t part of the competition, but in a twist of fate, someone pushed her onto the stage, and she was crowned “The Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia.” The prize was a trip to the Venice Film Festival—a moment that would ignite her acting career. Despite numerous offers from film producers, Cardinale initially turned them all down. As she once put it, “It’s like a man. When he’s going after you, if you say yes immediately, after a little time he goes away. If you say no, he desires you for a long time.”
Behind her resistance was a secret: she was pregnant, the result of a traumatic incident involving a man she didn’t know. In 2017, she revealed the horrifying truth to journalist Enzo Biagi: she had been raped by an older man who forced her into his car. Despite the painful circumstances, Cardinale made the courageous decision to keep the child, saying, “The most beautiful thing is that my wonderful Patrick was born from that violence. Not even for a moment did I think of getting rid of my creature.”
Eventually, she was drawn in by famed Italian producer Franco Cristaldi. He signed her to an 18-year contract and later married her. Under his management, Cardinale was molded into an Italian version of Brigitte Bardot—her roles, image, and even her personal life tightly controlled. Her pregnancy was kept secret, and her son was introduced to the world as her younger brother. Despite this, she continued to work in film, earning the nickname “Italy’s Sweetheart.” Her breakout role came in 1958’s Three Strangers in Rome, a film she shot while seven months pregnant. Depressed and overwhelmed, she begged Cristaldi to release her from her contract. Instead, he sent her to London, telling the press she was studying English for an upcoming role.
Though her relationship with Cristaldi was deeply dysfunctional—Cardinale later described herself as a subordinate employee—her career continued to flourish. She starred in Goha alongside Omar Sharif and quickly built a reputation as one of Italy’s most promising talents. In the early 1960s, she landed significant roles in Rocco and His Brothers, 8½, and The Leopard, sharing the screen with legendary actors like Marcello Mastroianni and Burt Lancaster. Her performances, often portraying elusive and desirable women, earned critical acclaim. Acclaimed director Martin Scorsese listed both 8½ and The Leopard among his top 12 favorite films.
As her star rose internationally, she transitioned to Hollywood, starring with David Niven in The Pink Panther, and later appearing with icons like John Wayne and Rita Hayworth in Circus World. One of her most celebrated performances came in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), where she played a prostitute alongside Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, and Charles Bronson. Despite being dubbed the “Italian Brigitte Bardot,” Cardinale drew a line between herself and her French counterpart. In a 1971 film, The Legend of Frenchie King, she acted alongside Bardot, but proudly stated she never appeared nude on screen. “I always thought it was more erotic to leave some room to the imagination,” she explained.
Cardinale’s Hollywood journey was filled with both accolades and challenges. In an interview with Life, she was labeled “the most admired international film star since Sophia Loren.” Still, the sexist and patriarchal nature of the Hollywood system frustrated her. She chose to return to Europe, saying, “If I have to give up the money, I give it up. I do not want to become a cliché.”
By the 1970s, Cardinale’s personal life began to find stability. She left Cristaldi in 1975 and married Italian director Pasquale Squitieri, with whom she remained until his death in 2017. Together, they had a daughter named Claudia. Even as her career slowed, Cardinale embraced the transition, happy to have stepped away from an industry that often objectified women. “When I was young, my dream was to explore the world. And I did it. I was never naked and I never did anything to change my face. I don’t like that at all. I like to be what I am, because you cannot stop time,” she once said.
In another interview, she reflected on aging gracefully: “I’ve never done—what you say?—lifting in the face. My mother used to say, ‘Wait until you are older, you will always be smiling.’ It’s true. So why would you hide it?”
In recent years, rumors swirled about her well-being. In 2022, she addressed reports that she had been hospitalized against her will. Living peacefully in France, she assured the public, “I’m next to my family, I’m in full health. And I wish everyone a happy summer.”
Today, Claudia Cardinale remains active in humanitarian work. As a UNESCO goodwill ambassador for the Defence of Women’s Rights, she continues to use her voice and influence to inspire and support women around the world.
Her story is one of resilience, talent, and transformation. From the painful trauma of her youth to her status as a global cinema icon, Claudia Cardinale has lived a life full of complexity and courage. It’s heartening to see her empower others by sharing her story, and fans across generations remain inspired by her legacy. What’s your favorite Claudia Cardinale film?
